Fruit-gatherer.



W. R. QUANTRELL. FRUIT GATHERER.

APPLICATION FILED APRJQ, 1913.

1,1 22,802. Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

awzfif Zgi Witnesses W nvenr *riiuirrjn sans Parana? errors.

WILLIAM B. QUANTRELL, 0F CHARLOTTE, MICHIGAN.

FRUIT-GATHERER.

Application filer: April 12, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, WILLIAM R. QUAN- TnnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Charlotte, in the county of Eaton and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Fruit-Gatherer, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention appertains to a device for gathering fruit, and aims to provide a novel and improved appliance of that character.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a device of the nature indicated which may be run over the soil to pick up the fruit laying thereon and operable to gather the fruit within a suitable receptacle or eceptacles carried by the device.

The present invention also comprehends the provision of a device of the character indicated which shall be so constructed and operable to succesfully meet the demands necessary in a device of the character indicated.

With the foregoing general objects out lined and with other objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the present invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The preferred embodiment of the lIlVQIl-r tion has been illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved gatherer. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 4 is a sectional detail.

In carrying outthe invention, reference being had in details to the drawings, there are provided a plurality of drums, in this case two, Which have been indicated by the numeral 1, each of the drums being provided with the spokes 2 secured to a hub 3, and the hubs being journaled on an axle 4 so that the adjoining edges of the respective drums 1 are in close proximity. The drums as a whole, are therefore in the form of a single drum, split intermediate its ends to permit the drum to traverse the soil in l a curvilinear path in an easy manner.

Forwardly projecting thills 5 are attached Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 29. rare.

Serial m re -fee.

to the ends ofthe axle t and have their forward ends upturned or deflected upwardly and united by a cross bar to provide a handle 6 for conveniently drawing or pulling the device about. lChe thills and axle are preferably constructed of tubular stock, such as gaspiping, although this is not essential.

To the periphery of each of the drums 1 there are secured numerous teeth or spurs 7 which cover the entire exterior surface of the drums and which are so distributed or closely arranged as to engage any fruit lying on the soil and over which the drums pass. In securing the teeth 7 to the drums, a plurality of bands 8 are mounted on the drums, the bands being spaced apart and being parallel to each other. The teeth 7 are headed or in the form of nails, the teeth engaging through apertures in the bands with their heads clamped between the bands and the drums, so that their tips are free and project outwardly or radially to engage the fruit. In this manner, a plurality of annular series of teeth are provided, the respective series being closely arranged. llhe bands 8 are preferably split at one point in order to facilitate their engagement to the drums, the ends of the bands being connected by draft bolts 9 in order to clamp the bands in position.

hen the device is to be employed on soft soil, or soil which has been cultivated, wheel. rims 10 are preferably secured to the remote ends of the drums by means of brackets or stub spokes 11 so that the rims 10 may engage the soil to properly support the drums 1 above the soil. The rims 10 are of a diameter slightly larger than that of the drums 1, so that the teeth 7 may not be pressed into the soft soil due to the weight of the apparatus. lhe rims 10, however. may be eliminated when the device is to be employed on hard soil, or soil which is capable of supporting the device without permitting the teeth 7 to engage excessively thereinto.

A cross shaft 19, is journaled on the thills 5 by means of the bearings 13 carried by the thills directly in advance of the drums 1, and stripping fingers 14 are attached to the shaft 12 and have their free ends or tips time 15 secured rigidly to the shaft 12, wire springs 16 being attached to the ends of the shaft 12 and engaging the thills to press the tipsof the fingers 1 1 against the It will thus be noted that the tips of the stripping fingers 14L engagethe drums;

drums 1.

between the respective series of teeth, the butt ends of the stripping fingers extending away from the peripheries of the drum.

The endmost strippingfingers l l'have the integral guards 17 attached to their tips and projecting forwardlyabove the endmost fingers let to guide the fruit down the rear hanger 18, and pass over the bars 19 may be continued.

to guide them for vertical movements, so that as the thills 5 are raisedand lowered, the runners 20 may always engage the soil. in advance of the runners 20, deflectors 22 are secured to the bars 19, the deflectors lying in the paths of the wheel rims 10 to direct the fruit inwardly, which lies in advance of the wheel rims, in order-that the rims may not crush the fruit.

The hangers 18-are adapted to support a receptacle or receptacles, which, as shown, are in the form of crates 23. These crates being seated within the hangers 18 have their rear sides disposed below the butt ends of the stripping fingers 1-1 so that'the crates will receive the fruit from the fingers 14. In operation, an operator may readily draw orpull the device about by meansof the handle 6, the drums 1 traveling or running upon the soil so that the teeth 7 engage or bite the fruit. Thus, as the device is drawn forwardly, the fruit will be engaged by the teeth Tand will cling to the drums, andas the fruit is carried up over the top of the drums, the fingers will strip the fruit from the drums, and as a consequence, the fruitwillroll into the crates 23. As soon as the crates have become filled, they may be removed and replaced by emptycrates or receptacles in order that the operation The two drums 1 permit the device to be readily drawn about a tree, or in a curved path, and it will be noted that when the rims are employed, as in connection with 'soft soil, the deflectors 22 direct the fruit inwardly which lies in the paths ofthe rims 10. If the rims 10 are not employed, the bars 19 and deflectors Copies of th is patent may be obtained for maybe eliminated as will be apparent. The springs 16 tendto maintain, the free ends of the stripping fingers 1 1 properly in engagement with the drums so that the proper operation of the device will ensue at all times. I

From the foregoing taken'in connection with the drawing, the advantages and capabilities of the present device will be ap{ parent to those versed in the art, it being noted that the objects aimedat have been carried out satisfactorily, and that the present device provides a desirable one for the purposes for which it is designed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is I a 1. In a device of the character described, a frame, a drum carried thereby having fruit engaging teeth, soil engaging rims secured to the remote. endsof the drum, the frame including receptacle holding means, stripping means carried by the frame cooperating with the drum, runners connected withthe frame and adapted to ride on the soil, and deflectors carried by the runners inadvance of the rims to direct the fruit inwardly.

2. In a device of the chara,cter described, a frame, a drum carried thereby and having fruit engaging teeth, receptacle supporting means carried by the frame, stripping fingers carried by the frame and cooperating with the drum, soilveng'agingrims secured to the remote ends of the drum, bars pivoted to the frame and having-their free ends formed into runners, and deflectors carried by the bars in advance of the, rims for directmg the fruit inwardly.

3. In a demos of the character described,

an axle, a pairof drums mounted thereon and havingfruit engaging teeth, tlnlls atcarried by the reanhanger, and deflectors carried by the said members in advance of the rims to direct the fruit inwardly.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, 1 have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WI n. QUANTRELL.

Witnesses: i

VICTOR C. RoBLrN. JAsH. BROWN.

five cents each, by addressin g the Commissioner of Patents, vWashington,-'.D.C. 

